‘Those who want to leave should simply leave,’ Raila says on Mbadi's resignation threats

The tension in Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party has sparked political heat right from within.

The recent talks were that of the party chairman John Mbadi who threatened to resign. Mbadi said last week that he was ready to quit the party leadership.

The nominated MP is accused by a section of ODM Party members of sabotaging the party leader by not attending Azimio rallies in Nairobi.

In response, Odinga in a Monday interview with Ramogi TV gave his stand, saying “I have not heard anything that John Mbadi wants to resign. Party elections will be done this year. Those who want to leave should simply leave.”

Odinga said the party chairman is justified to react however he wants, adding: “When Mbadi wants to leave he will tell me. When someone is angry, he can react the way he did, I doubt if this is what Mbadi wants.”

Mbadi has been locking horns with a section of ODM party members since the conclusion of the 2022 General Election.

Announcing his readiness to resign last Tuesday, Mbadi claimed Odinga already knows his position on the issue, and the only impediment as of now is that there is no vice chairperson to hand over the mantle to.

“I am not a person to run away from the office before we get good succession, I want to be succeeded, and still I will serve the party in whatever capacity. You know some people think being a chair is something I am dying for, far from the truth, I have done my bit,” he said.

Mbadi, who has served as the party chair for the last 9 years, said its time fresh blood came in to lead, adding that he will support the next chair.

He however says he is still a staunch follower of Odinga and he can’t speak against what the former prime minister stands for.

“I am the chairman of the party and I can’t speak against what the party leader says. I will have to resign for me to do that, otherwise, we won’t have a party it will be chaos,” he said.